In Which Kes and Bella Wrangle Their Cargo

Trouble has found Silent Destiny’s crew once more, on Kes-Varn’s homeworld of Iridonia.

In Wortan, Caster, Kay, Zeva, and R4-J16 have found the long-lost Vainglory. But they have also found Niknik Kuat — and Marius Krath, one of the infamous HOUNDS OF WINTER.

Meanwhile, in Capital Square, Kes and Bella Nox have escaped from Dagos Tull’s brutal thugs. They must return Balin Nerr’s cargo to its original buyer, but cannot until their speeder is repaired….

SESSION 29

Kay receives a call from Zeva: <whispering> “It’s a trap, Kay. Niknik Kuat is here, with one of the Hounds of Winter. The man we saw on Takodana. The one she told you about on Iridonia: Marius Krath. We’re at Docking Bay 607. Krath doesn’t know I’m here yet, b-” <message>

Meanwhile, in Capital Square…

Kes and Bella manage to get the speeder back to the docking bay where Silent Destiny USED to be.
You could press on and take the cargo directly to Jaleer Kortu, the original buyer, but the speeder might not take it.
It’s within your capacity to repair. Taking the time to secure the right parts will make it easier, but it’ll take time.
There’s also Bella’s shoulder to consider (which is also reparable).

Bella:
“I feel, however terrible it is to be so sensible, that we need to have reliable transport when we go speeding away again. Or there will be less speeding and more limping and possibly crashing.”
“Borrow, rent, steal? Unfamiliar vehicle should make it easier to get somewhere, as well.”

Kes-Varn:
“Not without taking a look at that shoulder, first. Come here.”

GM:
(You need a 2)

Bella:
“Yes, ma’am” /manages a smile/

Kes-Varn:
(Carefully fixing the shoulder is +4)

GM:
Kes doesn’t quite make it good as new, but the pain subsides, making it easier for Bella to move and work.
(Consequence ends after the next scene)

Bella:
/smile spreads into a proper toothy smirk/ “Well you are just full of pleasant surprises, aren’t you?”

Kes-Varn:
“I shoot people, sometimes I put them back together.” She flashes a brief smile. “Now what were you saying about relieving someone of their vehicle?”

Bella:
“Politely. Maybe? Seems like we’d be less likely to be spotted until /after/ we’ve finished our delivery.”

Kes-Varn:
“Yeah, this limper is gonna be noticed from a ways away.” She thumps the front of the broken-down speeder and hears a threatening creak. “I don’t usually STEAL speeders, though. Where do we begin?”

Bella:
“The trick is to convince some friendly and not to smart computer to /give/ us one, so it doesn’t even look like we’re stealing!”

GM:
Bella slices into a delivery company’s database to get a look at what vehicles are supposed to be in the area (Clever +6)
(generating a boost!)

Bella:
“Want anything in particular?”

Kes-Varn:
Kes’ eyes flash, a bit greedily, but she seems to bite down on it. “Something inconspicuous? We caused enough of a fuss on the way here.”

GM:
The girl gasps and takes a step back from Kes. “All right,” she says. “I see your point. You two can ride with me, but don’t try anything, okay? I’ve got a hydrospanner right where I can get at it.”

Kes-Varn:
Kes gives her a solemn nod. “I’ve been hit in the face with a hydrospanner before. It ain’t pretty.”

GM:
D-1D rolls back into the truck, and the girl climbs into the cab.

Kes-Varn:
Kes yanks open the opposite door, again with the intention of assisting Bella in. Only to find there’s only space for one. She pauses and glances at Bella. “Um.”

Bella:
“Top or bottom?”

Kes-Varn:
Kes sputters. “Uh— Wh- What?”

GM:
The girl becomes VERY busy adjusting her rear view mirror.

Bella:
/clicks tongue/ “Such suspicious minds. I mean I could sit in your lap. Is that better?” /winks/

Kes-Varn:
Kes stares at her, hang-jawed. Then it dawns on her. “Oh. Oh. In the— the truck.” She clears her throat. “Yeah, that makes the most sense. Can’t exactly chuck you in with the cargo, I suppose.”

Bella:
“We could certainly strap you down back there if you like that sort of thing, but I do prefer a proper seat.”

GM:
“Hey, who wants the radio?”

Kes-Varn:
Kes’ shoulders get rigid and she climbs into the seat. “Radio sounds great,” she says stiffly, keeping her eyes strictly forward.

Bella:
“A lovely idea, I agree.” /climbs in, trying not to grin/

GM:
The girl, too, steadfastly refuses to look at what’s going on next to her as the speeder lurches into gear.
This is about the time that Kes’s comlink begins to chime.“Tell them I’m driving as fast as I’m allowed to,” the girl says.

Kes-Varn:
“Should be fine. Drive safely, all right, let’s not risk ourselves and the cargo.” Kes shifts Bella around in her lap to get it from her pocket. “Captain here.”

Kaylani:
“Hounds of Winter set a trap, my Captain. Might need you to clean up a mess, depending on how bad a hole I’m about to fly into.”

Kes-Varn:
Kes sputters and sits forward, almost dropping Bella. “Wait, what? A trap? The Hounds? Are the other still there?”